Originally from Seattle, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) research participant was accompanied by nearly 3,000 others in the world’s tallest indoor stair-climb event. Called “SkyRise Chicago,” it raised $1 million in research funds for the RIC. Vawter clocked in at an impressive 53 minutes and 9 seconds (which, coincidentally, is about 53 minutes and 9 seconds faster than I could dream of doing it in).

After losing his leg in a motorcycle accident, Vawter was fitted with his incredible bionic leg. As soon as he pushes on the device to stand-up, it miraculously reads his intent and pushes back on him so he can move upwards. Vawter, a software engineer, travels to Chicago to work with the team at the Center for Bionic Medicine to fine-tune his device.